WHAT’S NEW NEW PRODUCT REVIEWS
88 FLYPAST December 2018
Emotive Timepiece
http://www.colandmacarthur.com
Belgian fi rm Col & MacArthur has produced a real conversation
piece with its commemorative ‘Armistice 1918’ watch, which marks
the centenary of the end of World War One. Classy styling makes the
item suitable for everyday or dress wear. The timepiece is decorated
with a poppy, the landmark date 11/11/18 (when the Armistice was
signed), and the name of the last British soldier to be killed in the
war, 40-year-old Private George Edwin Ellison. Further detail is the
location of the surrender signing and the railway wagon 2419D of the
Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, which served as the
mobile headquarters of the French armed forces, at the Forêt
de Compiègne, close to Paris. With a quality leather/metal
strap, sapphire glass, pressurisation to 5 atmospheres and
Swiss movement, this limited edition watch comes in
a splendid wooden presentation box. It’s a handsome
timepiece and while not directly aviation focussed, it’s
a smart and fi tting reminder of the Great War and all the
sacrifi ces made during the confl ict. It costs £345 and can
be engraved for an extra £40... more details are on the Col &
MacArthur website.
Tribute to The Few
http://www.corgi.co.uk
Diecast brand Corgi’s RAF100 series of models
includes this splendid 1:72 scale Hawker Hurricane,
priced £49.99. With convincing shades of Dark Green,
Dark Earth and Sky, it replicates the 501 Squadron
Mk.I V6799/X-SD, fl own by Plt Off Ken Mackenzie
during October 1940. On the 7th of that month
Mackenzie, having expended all his ammunition,
seized the chance to down a Bf 109E by severing its
port stabiliser with his Hurricane’s wing tip. He was
attacked by more Bf 109s, and just avoided the cliffs
near Folkestone, before belly landing his aircraft in
the fi rst available fi eld. The then 24-year-old pilot
was soon back in action and accounted for at least
seven more enemy aircraft, before being shot down
and becoming a prisoner of war in autumn 1941.
Corgi’s model is neatly fi nished, has the option of
wheels down or up, and comes with a display stand
for the latter format. It’s limited to 1,000 pieces and
comes with a numbered collector card.Legendary
Lancaster
http://www.primetimevideo.co.uk
NX611 – The Flying Years DVD,
1hr 38mins, Primetime Video
Productions, £14.95
Today she is fondly known
as Just Jane and has been
showcased at East Kirkby’s
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage
Centre for many years,
frequently performing taxi runs.
In the future, Avro Lancaster
NX611 will take to the skies – being the subject of a
long-term restoration to fl y. This comprehensive
documentary examines the popular aircraft’s past,
charting the long journey that eventually placed her
in the care of the Panton family at East Kirkby. The
bomber arrived in the UK in 1965, having fl own from
Sydney, Australia. This production includes exclusive
archive fi lm of engine and air tests, conducted to
achieve a CAA certifi cate of airworthiness during its
post-war fl ying career, along with in-fl ight fi lm of its
visits to airfi elds across Britain. It also features the
emotional recollections of those who fl ew in NX611.
For fans of Just Jane – and there are many – this is
a must-see DVD.http://www.primetimevideo.co.ukToday she is fondly known
as
showcased at East Kirkby’s
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage
Centre for many years,
frequently performing taxi runs.
In the future, Avro LancasterSartorial
story-telling
http://www.blackstarbrands.com
Pure 100% Silk Pocket Square – B-17 Flying Fortress/Bf
109, £30.17
Perfect for the well-dressed aviator or aircraft
enthusiast, Black Star’s 100% silk pocket square is
designed so that just the cloudscape patterns are
visible when it’s folded. Furthermore, the variations
within the clouds allow for multiple options, to
match various suit/shirt/tie combinations. It
features the famous Charlie Brown/Franz Stigler
incident (which also decorates the interior lining tip
of the company’s silk tie, highlighted in last month’s
issue), and the full graphic is only revealed once
the pocket square is removed and spread out. The
names of the pilots and date of the aerial episode
are printed within the border.Legendary
A decade of jets
http://www.coldwarshield.co.uk
Cold War Shield Vol 3 – RAF
Fighter Squadrons 1950-1960, Roger Lindsay, Cold War Shield, hbk,
illus, 386pp, £75
Roger Lindsay’s fi rst two volumes in this series have become classic,
highly prized references, and the third instalment will surely garner
equal praise. The result of 40 years’ diligent research, Cold War
Shield 3 focuses on the RAF’s Supermarine Swift, Hawker Hunter,
Gloster Javelin and early English Electric Lightning squadrons.
After an introductory section, which describes fi ghter organisation,
structure and assets, RAF Germany stations, Middle East airfi elds
and more, the book delves straight into each relevant aircraft type
and its user units. The level of detail on the squadrons and their
operations is staggering, and just as good is the extensive collection
of photographs, which are black and white throughout until the
book’s rear section, when glorious colour comes into play. Some of
the images will be familiar from other works, but many shots are rare
and some previously unpublished. Lists of serials, codes and the like
feature for each squadron, and a generous selection of colour profi les
and squadron badge artwork closes this weighty tome. A hugely
impressive book, brimming with information for any jet fan.
http://www.coldwarshield.co.uk
Roger Lindsay’s fi rst two volumes in this series have become classic,
highly prized references, and the third instalment will surely garner
equal praise. The result of 40 years’ diligent research,
Shield 3
Gloster Javelin and early English Electric Lightning squadrons.
After an introductory section, which describes fi ghter organisation,
structure and assets, RAF Germany stations, Middle East airfi elds
and more, the book delves straight into each relevant aircraft type
and its user units. The level of detail on the squadrons and their
operations is staggering, and just as good is the extensive collection
of photographs, which are black and white throughout until the
book’s rear section, when glorious colour comes into play. Some of
the images will be familiar from other works, but many shots are rare
and some previously unpublished. Lists of serials, codes and the like
feature for each squadron, and a generous selection of colour profi les
and squadron badge artwork closes this weighty tome. A hugely
impressive book, brimming with information for any jet fan.